A Frenchman who made up a story to hide from his relatives that he had spent €400 during a night out in Paceville was given a suspended sentence by a court after admitting to filing a false police report.

Theophile L Charles Duchange, 22, who lived at the University residence in Lija was arraigned under arrest today before Magistrate Anthony Vella.

The court heard how the man had claimed that on January 8 he was beaten up by four men while withdrawing money from an ATM in Paceville. However, he only reported the incident to the police a few days ago, saying he had been robbed €400.

Doubts about his version of events emerged immediately as CCTV footage taken from the ATM showed the man in company of several women.

During interrogation the man admitted that he had fabricated the incident, in order to justify his spending spree with his relatives in France, who had been alerted by the bank that he had exceeded his weekly allowance.

In court the accused apologised for his actions, describing his behaviour as a stupid act.

Magistrate Anthony Vella sentenced him to six months imprisonment suspended for two years.

Lawyer Yana Micallef Stafrace was legal aid while police inspectors Carlos Cordina and Trevor Micallef prosecuted.